Cyclescheme

Stories from Cyclescheme

Read stories and get inspired! Share a cycling story and inspire others to get out and ride!

Diary of a Wobbly Cyclist

Yesterday I discovered I get very grumpy if I don't get my daily bike ride! Bloody rain!

Topic: My commute by bike

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My inspiration

I read of a guy who ran a marathon every day for a year,that and Steve Abrahams attempting 80,000 miles in a single year,since then I have ridden nearly 40 mile a day for almost four years without ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Bird Watching

I was joined by a barn owl on this morning's commute. It flew with me along the lane, just a couple of metres in front at head height. We carried on riding together for about two hundred metres bef... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Stolen

I may not had a Carbon bike, but my 30 year old 531c framed bike was a joy to ride to and from work and weekend jaunts into the Dales. No more, D lock smashed off and insurance not interested du... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Wobbly Cyclist diary entry 2

Not such a successful ride today......yesterdays little trip was nice, wanted to push myself a bit more today! There's a local beauty spot I've wanted to visit for ages but never seem to get a ch... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Mind Your Mood

Mind Your Mood

Students in higher education are at an age vulnerable to mental illness as 75% of mental health difficulties develop before the age of 25. 16-25 is the key age group to target with preventative &am... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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The beauty of cycling

I am 62 years old and have rheumatoid arthritis and recently my walking has become very painful, so I asked the nurse what would help me to still get exercise and she recommended cycling. I had a ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story A bonny wee time on the bike

A bonny wee time on the bike

We've cycled through the seasonal summer without the ice, And at rare times the sunshine which was nice, Getting up extra early to cycle by the deer, Or the birds of prey swooping past my ear... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

9

Freedom to ride

I started riding a bike regularly last year after our car was written off. I pulled the old beater mountain bike out the shed and gave it a go. I quickly upgraded to an inherited hybrid I found mys... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Windy but warm

Challenging cycle in especially with my panniers that act like sails of a boat! Still mild enough for t-shirt though. Wind is tough to cycle in but still enjoying being outside exercising in summer... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Back to Cycling This Week

Back to Cycling This Week

After coming off my bike 4 weeks ago and having 3 weeks of treatment and an X-ray, I finally rode my bike again yesterday and managed 17 miles around the hill. Such a good feeling to be back cycli... read more

Topic: Other

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Damp but better than the tube by MILES!

Another commute to work by bike, this morning in rain. Less cyclists but slower journey. All things considered I don't mind the rain it's always better than getting the tube!! :)

Topic: My commute by bike

3

Rekindling

As I were younger I did a lot of riding, mostly mountain biking but also road or trials riding.. Life takes over and the kids grow, now its time to get back on the bike. It's been road bikes for th... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Cycling changed who I am

I started riding to work 2 years ago with the aim to get fit and now as a 50 year old with 4 bikes and my second Ride London under my belt and plans to do the Fred Whitton Challenge next year I don... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Colle del Nivolet - Italy

Colle del Nivolet - Italy

I started riding just of 14 years ago - a short 1/2 day cycle hire with a mate in Sardinia. In 2006 I managed to ride a total of 1,000 miles & I was absolutely delighted with myself! Each ye... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

6

The hills have flies

When the local Authority I work for relocated to an "environmental centre" outside town, the number of Folk cycling to work dropped off. This is due to the office being on a steep hill and having l... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2

Back to cycle commuting

I stopped cycling years ago when the dog gave me a pitiful look if I dared go for a ride rather than take him for a walk, and then children got in the way. As for commuting, a big hill and a relat... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2

Loopline Love in

Not as exciting as the title suggests, but I use Tyldesley and Roe Green Looplines for a large part of my commute to work. These are some of the finest cycle paths I've used anywhere and they're in... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Cycle path improvement

After 2 years moaning to the council about a hedge overgrowing over a cycle path, they have eventually cut it back. But not only that they have also cleaned the path of vegetation meaning it is no... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2

Avoiding school run stress

Travelling to work and doing the school can be stressful. So we ditched the car and got our helmets on and started cycling to school. Luckily I can ride to work and get to watch the swans on the Ri... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3

My cycling story

My cycling story began when I became a hobby widow as my husband approached his mid-40’s. He started riding every weekend, scrutinising his stats, raving about his bike, groupsets and ratios, doin... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Morning Swim and Commute!

Commuting to work on my bike, in the summer especially, allows me to cycle to the pool to continue my triathlon training. I cycle to the pool, then cycle direct to work and sometimes pop home at lu... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story No matter the Weather - Glad to be back

No matter the Weather - Glad to be back

After a number of years off my mountain bike (Kids happen) I am really enjoying getting back out on 2 wheels, including the switch to something a little racier through the Cyclescheme, I am lucky e... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Wildlife in all its forms

Wildlife in all its forms

While the nights are light, and the fields remain dry, my commute takes me across the wildflower meadows of Cambridgeshire. Once out of my estate, and having successfully (hopefully) negotiated ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Great times

Beats the bus, smells better, you look hot as a fit not fat person, it's fun, and drivers are mostly decent.

Topic: A happy riding memory

Back in the saddle

Having not really rode a bike since I was in my Teens - I decided to get back to it and start riding to work. 8 weeks later and 62 trips completed I am feeling fitter, have lost weight and saved mo... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Diary of a Wobbly Cyclist

Today, on my way home from work, I swallowed a fly!!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Riding in the rain

This will be my second year cycling to work. Until this morning I would jump on the train if it rained, but I decided this morning would be different, I didn't think about it, got dressed and cycle... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Wobbly Cyclist diary entry 3

Yesterday I discovered I don't like cycling in the rain. Today I discovered I'm going to need long sleeves for the early mornings from now on!

Topic: My commute by bike

2

Electric Bikes in Sorrento

I took a Holiday in Sorrento last year with a friend of mine I have known for 34 years. She has not been on a bike for many years yet I am a keen cyclist. I asked her would she fancy hiring an el... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Badger culling

A few weeks ago I was coming home in the evening with two mates in time trial mode. It was dark but we had good lights. I was second and a naughty badger managed to run between me and the lead ride... read more

Topic: Other

6

Friday Feeling!

Heavy legs, post gym aches and 5 days of continual cycling. Roll on rest day :) No complaints however, the roads were nice and quiet too!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story More Surprises...

More Surprises...

Part of my commute home used to be by Sarehole Mill (part of the inspiration for Lord of the Rings) in Moseley Birmingham. There is a short cut around the back that either goes through the ford, if... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3

For Mark

Mark is the reason I took up cycling after 30 years. When he calmly announced to the office he had a couple of months to live, we all asked what we could do. Laughing his head off he said “cycle fr... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Biking Buddies

Biking Buddies

Myself and fellow Research Nurse Janine started riding with each other for light relief from our slave driving partners. However with a little help from our friend Strava we have become competitive... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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My challenge did not go quite to plan

I stared riding my bike 7 years ago thanks to my husband, I have since then ridden the Northumberland coast to coast both ways over 4 days, I have ridden my first 200K audax ( up the downs) I have ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Me and my boy

Me and my boy

I started cycling (after a 25+ year break!) after retiring from rugby about 3 years ago. Now I commute 18 miles a day, 3 days a week and really love it. The best part of this is teaching my eld... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Why I cycle

I started with a small section of my commute by bike due to a foot injury. After being initially terrified of rising in a city, I quickly enjoyed the freedom. After treating myself to a second hand... read more

Topic: Other

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Not getting younger

I guess like a lot of folks, I rode a bike as a youngster mainly to get around and go further afield. Dabbled with a mountain bike when kids were younger (usually one on the back in his seat). 4 ye... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Feeling fitter everyday

I have only just recently bought a bike after years of thinking I should be cycling to work. I had ruptured two ligaments in my ankle in a footballing injury at the beginning of last year and have ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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A change of lifestyle

I used to ride loads as a kid but then drifted away from it after taking up rock climbing at Uni. A few years ago some work colleagues got me back in to it, and what a blessing in disguise that tur... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Race Around Ireland

Race Around Ireland

In 2011 I was driving my son James to University in Sheffield. James had the idea that it would be fun to cycle a tandem from Lands End to John O'Groats. We bought a second hand tandem a Dawes Gala... read more

Topic: Other

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Why I love to ride

I bought my first road bike 4 months ago and have fallen in love with it/cycling. Up till recently I have been overweight, and at school was often bullied about it. I have struggled to get rid of t... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

2

Community loop

On the 8th of August it was cycled to work day with help from let’s ride and colleagues at work we organised a lunchtime ride out. The weather was good no wind nice warm weather, short ride about... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Fitness boost

Commuting by bike is a great way to increase your overall fitness for other activities. The more you do, the more you'll find yourself not just wondering where this road or path goes but trying it ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story Eroica and a 1979 Puch Prima renewed my life

Eroica and a 1979 Puch Prima renewed my life

In 2014 I had a minor car accident. Left me without transport to work and a need to get my body mobile. I was 52 and not ridden a bike in may years. Watching TV late one night, I saw "The Cyclin... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Our A&E service is amazing

My first ride to work today for over 2 weeks felt empowering. I came off the bike almost 3 weeks ago, resulting in a sprained shoulder, grazing from shin to hip, grazed forearm and a hefty whack to... read more

Topic: Other

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From commuting to "Blackpool to Paris"

I started out commuting to work a few years ago, as an alternative to running. As I grew to start enjoying riding I started to go out with a club, and over time extended my ride distance from 10 or... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Cycle Box

I am not sure this is the best name for the cycle area at the front of the lights, but I can't come up with anything that fits better. I am beyond fed up with motorbikes and scooters sitting in the... read more

Topic: Other

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Back on the bike

It has been quite a few years since I commuted to work but have managed to get back in the saddle again. Have been commuting by bike at every opportunity over the past 6 weeks and aiming to keep i... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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